shed; and his
expedition in bringing his papers to Congress prevented any
intelligence from arriving before him. Enclosed are the reports
referred to, which we recommend to your attention to make as public as
possible in Europe, prefacing them with such an explanatory detail of
the before mentioned circumstances, as shall have a tendency to place
the politics of America on the firm basis of national honor,
integrity, and fortitude.

We admire the wisdom and true dignity of the Court of France, on their
part of the construction and ratification of the treaties between us.
They have a powerful tendency to dissolve effectually that narrowness
of mind, which mankind have been too unhappily bred up in. Those
treaties discover the politician founded on the philosopher, and a
harmony of affections made the groundwork of mutual interest. France
has _won_ us more powerfully than any reserved treaties could possibly
_bind_ us, and by one generous and noble act has sown the seeds of an
eternal friendship.

It is from an anxiety to preserve inviolate this cordial union, so
happily begun, that we desire your particular attention to the 11th
and 12th articles of the treaty of amity and commerce. The unreserved
confidence of Congress in the good disposition of the Court of France,
will sufficiently appear, from their having unanimously first ratified
those treaties, and then trusted any alteration, which may be proper
to be made, to after mutual negotiations. We are apprehensive, that
the general and undefined line of the 12th article may in future be
misunderstood, or rendered inconvenient or impracticable, and so
become detrimental to that good friendship, which we wish ever to
subsist. To prevent this, you will herewith receive instruction and
authority for giving up, on our part, the whole of the 11th article,
proposing to the Court of France the rescinding, on their part, of the
whole of the 12th article, those two being intended as reciprocal
balances to each other.

It is exceedingly disagreeable to Congress, to find there has been
misconduct in any of the commanders of armed vessels under the
American flag. Every authentic information of that kind will be
strictly attended to, and every means be taken to punish the offenders
and make reparation to the sufferers. The chief consolation we find in
this unpleasing business is, that the most experienced States have not
been able to restrain the vices and irregularities of indiv